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Edmonds feeling healthy with Cubs

Edmonds feeling healthy with Cubs

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By Carrie Muskat
/
MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Jim Edmonds is looking forward to the second half because he isn't dizzy any
more.

The Cubs center fielder suffered a slight concussion on June 21, 2006, when he crashed into the outfield wall at U.S. Cellular Field during an Interleague game between the Cardinals
and White Sox. Edmonds was trying to snare a home run by Joe Crede. He hit the ground hard, and clutched the back of his head. Doctors prescribed medication.

"It was supposed to help me concentrate because when I was playing, I would get dizzy and it was hard to play a whole game," he said. "Even going into the following season in '07, I still had trouble."

He took the medication last year, and was still taking it at the beginning of this season
when he played for the San Diego Padres. After he was released on May 9, and joined the Cubs, he talked to athletic trainer Mark O'Neal, whom Edmonds knew from their days when both were in St. Louis.

"What [the medication] does is, it makes you concentrate but it plays tricks with your
eyes," Edmonds said. "When I was looking through the fence, I was having trouble watching
the game, and it affected my vision so much it was twisting me around."

O'Neal and Edmonds talked, Edmonds did some homework, and decided to stop taking it.

"I feel pretty good now," Edmonds said. "We'll see how it goes."

He was feeling so good in June that he led all Cubs regulars with a .319 average. That's
quite a comeback after beginning the season at .178 in 26 games with the Padres. Edmonds
blames his slow start on a Spring Training injury coupled with changes he made in his swing in an attempt to make the most of PETCO Park in San Diego.

"I stood up a little taller and I was trying to swing down on the ball and it wasn't my
swing," he said. "It had me in a funk. All those little things I was doing was adding to me
having a tough time."

The Padres athletic trainer also tried to get Edmonds to stop taking the medication.

"It's funny because a lot of guys take it," Edmonds said. "They said they were having a
little problem with it, too. You never know -- you're trying to do the right thing, and it
was time to do something else."

The doctors who originally prescribed the medication were correct in doing so.

"I needed it right away," Edmonds said. "I wouldn't have been able to play in the playoffs
in '06 without it. You live and you learn. That's why it's prescription medication. You've
got to really pay attention to what you're taking and who it's good for and who it's not
good for."

On Thursday, the Cubs will close their series against the Cincinnati Reds, and Edmonds will
likely be patrolling center field. He's batting .230 overall, and .269 with six doubles, a
triple, eight homers and 24 RBIs in 39 games since joining the Cubs on May 14. Is the first
half a success now that he can focus and feels healthy?

"No, I wouldn't say it's a success," Edmonds said. "I'm still hitting .230 over the year. I
could get my numbers up pretty quick. It's still a long grind. If I finish the second half
not doing well, it doesn't matter. We'll talk about it at the end of the year and put it in
better perspective."

He admits he tried to do too much in the Cubs' series at St. Louis last weekend, going
0-for-7 in two games before missing the third after jamming his thumb. He wants to finish
the year with a respectable performance.

"That's what I'm going to strive for in the second half," he said.

Pitching matchupCHC: LHP Ted Lilly (9-5, 4.47 ERA)
Lilly gave up two runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings in his last start
against the Cardinals, but did not get a decision. St. Louis rallied against Kerry Wood in
the ninth for the win. Lilly was cruising until the sixth when Rick Ankiel led off with a
home run. The lefty faced the Reds on April 17, and took the loss, giving up five runs on
six hits over six innings while striking out six.

CIN: RHP Bronson Arroyo (6-7, 5.82 ERA)
After what he called "the worst outing" of his career on June 24 in Toronto, Arroyo has
posted two of his better starts of the season. This will be his first start against the
Cubs this year. He did face Carlos Zambrano last Sept. 28, and lost. The Cubs clinched the National League Central Division later that night when the Brewers lost.

Tidbits
Looking ahead to the second half, the Cubs rotation at Houston, July 18-20, will be Lilly, Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster, followed by Rich Harden, Jason Marquis and
Lilly against Arizona, July 21-23. Harden will make his Cubs debut either Friday or
Saturday. ... Jason Dubois hit his team-leading 13th homer to help Iowa beat Round Rock,
8-2. Justin Berg picked up the win, giving up two runs, both unearned on three hits over
five innings. ... Mark Holliman gave up two runs on two hits and four walks over four
innings in Double-A Tennessee's 5-2 win over West Tenn. Matt Camp had three hits for the second
straight game. ... Blake Lalli had three hits in Class A Daytona's 8-5 win over Dunedin, and was
then promoted to Tennessee after the game. Pitcher Dumas Garcia also was added to
Tennessee's roster, while infielder Matt Craig was promoted to Triple-A Iowa.